London's busiest train station has recruited a hawk to scare off pigeons after passengers complained about having to fight them off

The same hawk has previously worked at Kings Cross Station.
Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images

Waterloo Station in London has brought in Aria, a five-year-old harris hawk, to fight off pigeons that are stealing food from passengers.

Passengers have frequently complained about having to fight off pigeons while they wait for their train.

Aria has previously been deployed by London King's Cross station.

London's busiest train station has recruited a hawk to scare off pigeons following a spate of complaints from angry passengers.

Aria, a five-year-old Harris hawk, has begun patrolling Waterloo station in a bid to stop people having to "fight" off pigeons while eating.

There are 27 food and drink retailers at the Network Rail-managed station, and many customers have complained about pigeons pecking at food and leaving a mess.

The birds have been pictured sitting brazenly on tables and chairs, while some people have reported being defecated on from above while waiting for their train.

Recent TripAdvisor reviews of the station's venues include a warning about "loads of pigeons flapping around whilst you are trying to eat" and a description of someone having to "fight pigeons for my food."

Another visitor even suggested passengers should "bring a fly swat for the pigeons."

Jason Murphy, Waterloo area manager for Network Rail, said: "Pigeons can be a real nuisance for people using the station. They also cause a lot of mess which needs cleaning up at some expense."

"Aria's work is really important in making the station a better place for our passengers while saving us money on our cleaning bills."

"She's a very hard worker and we're delighted to have her as part of the station team here at Waterloo."

Aria will be on duty at the station twice a week for two-hour shifts.

She was raised in St Albans and has previously been deployed by London King's Cross station and the Treasury to keep pigeons away.

Aria's handler, Max Bell, said: "Aria really enjoys the environment at Waterloo and is delighted to be here."

"She does a great job and often likes to reward herself with a relaxing bath in the puddles that gather on the rain shelters over the platforms."